We've experienced the first snowfall for the year. It wasn't very heavy, but I was rather glad that it finally came. It must be one of the warmest winters I've experienced since arriving in the UK. Puppy didn't seem bothered really - give him another year, and he will be revelling in the snowball fights.

Blackeyes the panda wondering why everything's turned white.

Outside.

On another note, Burn's Night is traditionally celebrated in Scotland on the 25th of January. Although neither of us have any Scottish heritage, it was an excuse to read some 'Rabbie Burns' in our best Scottish accent, indulge in a 'wee dram', or in my case, a 'wee sip', and of course some Haggis (courtesy of the good people from Macsween), Neeps and Tatties.

So, it's official. Puppy has been out of my womb longer than he has been in it. He had his weight check yesterday - we hadn't been in a month, because I can't go to weight clinic during the week anymore now that I've started work. He hasn't put any weight on, and is still 9.5kg (21lb), not that I'm worrying too much, because he's getting more active, and eats well anyway.

Puppy loves fruit. I don't think he has any favourites, but I think if we put him in a vineyard, an orchard full of blueberry bushes or a banana plantation, it would really make his day. He had his first raspberries this lunch time:





He's also added 'nanana, ngah ngah ngah' to his repertoire of babbles.

Puppy is 9 months old today.


Reading the day's sport headlines with daddy.


Too full to move after a big lunch

Puppy's survived his first 1 1/2 days at nursery - and, according to the girls there, has settled in rather well. He enjoys his meals, which is a good thing. My problem is not being able to express milk for him, so I go down at lunch time to breast feed him, just to relief myself, and also so he sees a familiar face. I did agree to him having some formula, now that I've done the full 6 months of breastfeeding, and having some bottle feed doesn't seem like such a huge issue anymore. Not sure if he's actually managed to have any though, apparently he didn't know what to do with the teat when it came close to his face!

So, now to not have him cry everytime I see him after a long absence.....

'But Daddy, I'm not sleepy yet! I want to watch the New Year fireworks on TV with you!'

'Good morning mummy'

Happy New Year. We had Cotswold Gran to stay over the past few days. Puppy was charming her by looking cute, and not crying too much. Oh, and he started doing 'ta ta, da da' on New Year's Eve.